Gay controversy called threat to Baptist unity

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (AP) — The 25 regional executives of the 1.5 million-member American Baptist Churches in the USA jointly announced that the denomination's ongoing controversy over homosexuality "threatens to break us apart."

A pastoral statement to "preserve unity," released this month after a meeting of denomination leaders, said they had personally agreed to "voluntarily refrain from" naming sexually active gays and lesbians to national and regional positions. The church leaders also said they would not participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies, but pledged to shun "homophobic behavior."

"We further pledge to continue listening to those who hold differing viewpoints," they said.

The executives will give a follow-up report to the Baptists' General Board in June, just before the denomination's biennial meeting.